SOWO 501 – Confronting Oppression & Institutional Discrimination
Spring 2011
Instructor
Iris Carlton-LaNey, Ph.D.
Professor
Office: Tate-Turner-Kuralt Building, Rm. 420;
Phone #: 919-962.6536
CLASS
Monday: 2-4:50
Friday: 9-11:50
Office Hours
Monday: 12:00-1:00
Accessibility
To obtain disability-related academic accommodations,
students with disabilities must contact the instructor and the
Department of Disability Services as soon as possible. You
may reach the Department of Disability Services at 919-9628300 (Voice/TDD) or http://disabilityservices.unc.edu
Course Description:
This course examines institutionalized oppression and its
implications for social work practice at all levels, emphasizing
the consequences of social inequality and the social worker’s
responsibilities to fight oppression.
Course Outcomes:
(1)
Students will understand how contemporary social work practice is situated in
cultures in which oppression is institutionalized.
Suggested measurement of this outcome:
a. Students will write a paper in which they select a population and critically
analyze existing institutional structures that maintain the oppression of
this group.
Course Objectives – Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the nature of prejudice and the impact of
discrimination on individuals and groups, especially with regard to race, gender,
disability, sexual identity, and ethnicity.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the historical and social forces that have worked for and
against the exclusion of groups of people from opportunities and services at the
institutional, community, and societal levels.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of the roles played by advocacy groups in minimizing
barriers to opportunities and services for populations who experience discrimination.
4. Identify and consider ways of addressing institutional discrimination as it appears in
social welfare policy and in the management and practice of human services.
5. Demonstrate an ability to apply social work values and ethics to practice with diverse
populations.
6. Demonstrate knowledge of differential assessment and intervention skills needed to
serve diverse populations.
7. Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of human diversity and family and
community strengths.
Course Rationale
Evidence based practice is defined as the use of the best available evidence to make
practice decisions. It involves integrating the preferences of clients and one’s own
accrued practice expertise with current scientific information. Because “the evidence” is
unlikely to ever be so robust as to fully inform practice with the diversity of human kind,
the evidence must always be interpreted and, in some cases, extrapolated. It is in this
crucial process that knowledge of the impact of discrimination and inequality on human
behavior becomes paramount.
The Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) stipulates that
one of the ethical principles that must guide social workers is that “Social workers
challenge social injustice” (1999, p.2). Specifically, the Code directs social workers to
“pursue social change, particularly with and on behalf of vulnerable and oppressed
individuals and groups of people.
Social workers' social change efforts are focused primarily on issues of poverty,
unemployment, discrimination, and other forms of social injustice” (NASW, 1999, p.2)
These activities are anchored to one of the fundamental missions of the social work
profession, which is to “strive to end discrimination, oppression, poverty, and other
forms of social injustice” (NASW, 1999, p.1).
The intent of this course is to prepare students to fulfill their responsibilities related to
fighting injustice and oppression, as prescribed by the NASW Code.
All social workers have a responsibility to meet the needs of diverse client systems in
our society; therefore, all social workers must have knowledge and understanding of
the structures, systems, and policies that create and maintain institutional oppression.
The focus is on special population groups that should be understood in the context of
not only problems that often accompany their particular status, but also from the
richness of their heritage and the potential for their beneficial contribution to society.
This course serves as a foundation for the understanding of the nature, character, and
consequences of being excluded or left out of many available opportunities and
services. This course explores the implications and connections of discrimination for
oppressed groups, including racial and ethnic minorities, women, older persons, people
with disabilities and gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered (GLBT) people. The
common denominator for all of these groups is the fact that they have been constantly
affected by social, economic and legal biases—they have been victimized by institutional
structures and social policies that maintain and perpetuate their oppression.
Required Texts:
Adams, M., Bumenfeld, W., Castaneda, C., Hackman, H., Peters, M.,& Zuniga, X. (Eds.)
(2010). Readings for Diversity and Social Justice. New York: Routledge.
[hereafter referred to in the syllabus as Adams]
Carlton-LaNey, I. (2005). African Americans Aging in the Rural South: Stories of Faith,
Family and Community. NC: Sourwood Press, Inc.
The instructor may distribute, post, and assign additional readings throughout the semester.
Evaluation:
The School of Social Work operates on an evaluation system of Honors (H), Pass (P),
Low Pass (L), and Fail (F). A grade of P is “entirely satisfactory.” On a traditional
grading scale, a P would range from B- to A-. The grade of Honors signifies that the
work is clearly excellent in all respects.
Grade Scale
H
Clear Excellence
P
Entirely Satisfactory
L
Low Passing
F
Failed
94-100 points
80-93 points
70-79 points
<70 points
Each assignment comprises the following percentage of the total grade.
Class Participation
Heritage Gallery
Institutional Structures Presentation
Exam
Mon. March 21/Fri. March 25
Brief History of Oppression Course
Total
10
10
35
35
10
100
Honor Code
Students are expected to complete assigned and independent readings, contribute to
the development of a positive learning environment, and demonstrate their learning
through written assignments and class participation. Original written work is expected
and required. The University of North Carolina has a rich and longstanding tradition of
honor. If you have not yet done so, please see the Student Code of Honor. All
submitted work must conform to the Honor Code of the University of North Carolina.
For information on the Honor Code, including guidance on representing the words,
thoughts, and ideas of others, please see: http://instrument.unc.edu
Please note that plagiarism is defined in the Code as “representation of another
person’s words, thoughts, or ideas as one’s own.” Violation of the Honor Code will result
in an “F” grade, and referral to the Honor Court. From the Code: “It is the responsibility
of every student to obey and support the enforcement of the Honor Code, which
prohibits lying, cheating, or stealing when these actions involve academic processes or
University, student or academic personnel acting in an official capacity. Students will
conduct all academic work within the letter and spirit of the Honor Code, which
prohibits the giving or receiving of unauthorized aid in all academic processes.”
All written work must be accompanied by a signed Honor Code statement, and work
lacking this affirmation will not be accepted. The statement is to read as follows:
I have neither given nor received any unauthorized assistance on this assignment.
<Student’s Signature>
Class participation: To maximize everyone’s learning we will rely on the contributions
and insights of all students when issues are discussed. The participation of each student
is essential, and responsibility for class discussion will be shared by both the instructor
and the students. Class participation includes such things as being prepared to discuss
readings and assignments, sharing your opinions on the topic at hand, facilitating the
participation of other students, and engaging the guest speakers.
Attendance: Attendance is crucial to both your learning experience and the learning of
your peers. Students with more than one excused absence will not earn an H.
Students with more than two excused absences will not earn a P. It is your
responsibility to notify the instructor in advance if you will miss class.
Readings: You are responsible for reading ALL assigned material before the class date
for which they are assigned. Thesereadings will provide the background you need to
fully understand, benefit from, and participate in the class discussion.
Written assignments: The School of Social Work faculty has adopted APA style as the
preferred format for papers and publications. The best reference is the 6th ed. of the
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA, 2009). Papers that
do not follow APA guidelines may be returned to the student for revision.
Papers are due at the beginning of class, without exception. Late papers, including
those needing revisions, will be reduced by 5 points for each day they are late.
Students are expected to use good academic English; grades will be lowered for poor
grammar, syntax, or spelling. Students of all writing abilities benefit from working with
the Writing Center. Those who have difficulty writing are STRONGLY encouraged to
contact the Writing Center.
ASSIGNMENTS :
Class Participation (10 %)
Each student will participate in group discussions and will individually and collectively be
responsible for contributing to class discussion and the analysis of issues. For each
reading, students should be able to summarize its key elements, critique its relevance
and strengths or weaknesses in the context of contemporary society, and discuss the
implications for social work practice.
Heritage Gallery (10 %) Due: Mon. Jan. 24/Tue. Jan. 21 (between 8 & 10
minutes each)
Heritage is rich, deep, and ever-present in people’s lives and actions. It is often
cherished and sacred, coming from those who have lived and died. Heritage names us
and shapes us in profound ways. It is a piece of human essence. The ways we express
heritage are numerous and varied. Heritage exists in food, clothes, gardens, art, music,
and language. Heritage exists in rituals, symbols, festivals, and ceremonies. Heritage
exists in technologies, architecture, and artifacts. Heritage tells of our past and our
futures.
This assignment is designed to honor the heritage of everyone in class. For the second
class, bring an expression of your heritage for display and discussion. This can be an
artifact, food, glossary of terms, tradition, a performance, an art form—anything that
comes from your group identity.
Institutional Structures Presentation (35 %)
15 minute presentations:
Mon. April 18 & 25
Fri. April 1, 8, & 15
This presentation will give you the opportunity to think critically about the range of
oppressive and discriminatory institutional practices that may be encountered by
persons in our culture who are marginalized.
Please identify a focus population. Remember that marginalization can occur as a
function of race, ethnicity, religion, age, poverty, gender, sexual orientation, disability,
and others. Then, using the scholarly literature as your foundation, address the
following questions:
1. How has this group been treated historically in our culture? Is there a long or
recent (within the past 15-20 yrs) history of oppression and discrimination?
2. What assumptions, beliefs, or attributions appear to drive the oppression or
discrimination of this group in our culture?
3. What are examples of specific oppressive or discriminatory practices that this
group may encounter as they interact with various institutions/organizations?
You may include social, economic, educational, faith and health care institutions
in your discussion, as well as any others of relevance.
4. What are the outcomes or implications of these practices for the marginalized
group? Consider the range of bio-psycho-social-spiritual outcomes and others of
relevance.
5. What are implications of these oppressive practices for the social worker who
works with individuals from this population? What are 2-3 specific
understandings or actions that you see as crucial to supporting non-oppressive
practices with the group you have chosen?
In class Exam (35 %)
MONDAY CLASS
Class and
Date
Class 1
Jan. 24
Class 2
Jan.31
Class 3
Feb. 7
Unit Topics
Assigned Reading
HERITAGE GALLERY
INTRODUCTION
Rationale (Mission of Social Work and our School)
Objectives and Requirements
Readings:
National Association of Social Workers (1996/1999). Code of Ethics. Washington, DC: Author.
COMPLETE HERITAGE GALLERY
THE NATURE OF PREJUDICE & EFFECTS OF DISCRIMINATION
Development of a Majority Racial Identity
Personal Privilege
Development of Minority Identity
Theories of Discrimination and Oppression
Class 4
Feb.14
Readings:
Adams Conceptual Framework, pp. 1-60.
RACISM
Video: Awakenings, 1954-1956, Vol. 1 of Eyes on the Prize
Readings:
Adams Racism, pp. 59-135.
Morris, A. D. (1999). A retrospective on the civil rights movement: Political and intellectual landmarks.
Annual Review of Sociology, 25, 517-539.
Class 5
Feb.21
DYNAMICS OF EXCLUSION AND NORTH CAROLINA’S RACIAL & ETHNIC MINORITIES
Native Americans in North Carolina
Identifying Our Racial Heritages
Understanding Socialization into a Racist Culture
Readings:
Bordewich, F. M. (1996). We ain’t got feathers and beads. In Killing the White Man’s Indian (pp. 66-90).
New York: Doubleday.
Class 6
Feb. 28
North Carolina American Indian tribes film: Tribal chiefs introduce the tribes in the state
Religious Oppression
Readings:
Adams: pp. 227-307
Class 7
March 14
Class 8
March 21
Sexism
Masculinity as Homophobia
Feminism
Violence against women
Alternative health & healing
Adams pp. 315-370
HETEROSEXISM & TRANSGENDER
Gender Role Socialization and Identity
Feminism and Violence against Women
Alternative Health & Healing
Readings:
Adams pp.371-447.
Class 9
March 28
Class 10
April 4
Exam
AGEISM
Another form of bigotry
Readings:
Adams pp. 533-539; 557-566
Carlton-LaNey, I. African Americans Aging in the Rural South
ABLEISM
Disability rights movement
Deaf with a capital “D”
Why the intersexed shouldn’t be fixed
Readings:
Adams: Ableism, pp. 457-469; 485-489
Recall the Williard Suitcase Project Exhibit
http://suitcaseexhibit.org/indexhasflash.html
Class 11
April 11
Open Topic
Class 12
April 18
Presentations
Class 13
April 25
Presentations
LAST CLASS